River Alva / Côja - Between water, rocks and canoes

Some might say that after learn how to ride a bike, one never forgets it. Truth? Myth? Can we say the same about canoeing?

In the weekend before Easter, suggested by a friend, I had the opportunity to check it out if I still have what it takes! After almost 10 years without touching a row and a canoe, I took the challenge of David and we went for a ride on river Alva, on centre north of Portugal, near Coimbra.

Although the dawn was at 6a.m. in the morning, the will and enthusiasm was big, to repeat one of my favorite water sports from the old times of Adventure Club at high school. Equipment dressed and some explanations about safety, the adrenaline raises, we enter the water and… SPLASH! On the first dam, the first dive in the cold water!

The noise of the revolting transparent water, the high elevated margins of an exuberant and humid green, make rive Alva the perfect weekend escape break.

There are calm parts for a simple rowing, to interact with the group or just absorb the beauty and silence of nature around us. Other parts of the 9km race are completely crazy, wild, with branches of trees on our face or with forced dives, fighting with the water to maintain the head out.

In the dams and small waterfalls the technique to pass them and maintain the canoe balanced and escape from the trouble waters. On the rapids the dexterity, the ability and fast reflexes to skip and avoid obstacles and hard turns, reacting without thinking, finally something out of control in life! I become part of the river, I’m water, sand, rock and foam…

I LOVED IT! I’m going to repeat!